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"From Struggle to Triumph to Tomorrow" Literary Contest Form

 

Historical Perspective

It could be said that Barbara Rose Johns is Virginia's Rosa Parks. Unfortunately, very few people have ever heard the story of how this brave young 16-year-old caused a quiet revolution in the small town of Farmville, Virginia, the ripples of which would be felt throughout the state and the nation for years to come.

In April 1951, Barbara and her fellow students at Robert Russa Moton High School staged a walkout and protest to draw attention to the deplorable conditions at their segregated school. The case eventually lead to Brown v. Board of Education. As a result of the strike and legal struggle to end segregation, a generation of African-American children in Prince Edward County lost years of their formal education. Schools in Norfolk and Warren County were closed as well. The Prince Edward case inspired the writers of Virginia's 1971 state constitution to put education in the Bill of Rights to prevent a re-occurrence of this tragedy.

The Capitol Square Civil Rights Memorial will recognize and celebrate the Virginians who risked everything in the struggle to gain educational rights for all. To be installed on the grounds of Virginia's historic state Capitol in Richmond, the memorial also serves to remind us of the debt we all owe to the sacrifice and courage of a few. It will give thousands of students who visit Capitol Square every school year an opportunity to learn important lessons from a pivotal time in Virginia's history and inspire future generations.

Eligibility

The "From Struggle to Triumph to Tomorrow" High School Literary Contest is open to all Virginia students in grades 9-12. Previously published works are ineligible.

Literary Prompt

From Struggle to Triumph to Tomorrow: In what ways are our schools better off today as a result of the efforts of Barbara Johns and her classmates? What is your generation's contribution to ensure Barbara Johns' legacy continues?

Please respond in an essay or poem. Relevant subject matter knowledge must be evident in the submission.

Essay Requirements

Essays should be 800-1,000 words, typed. Students must produce their own work. All references must be clearly noted and must appear as parenthetical citations, endnotes or footnotes. Materials used for research that are not cited in the student's essay must be listed on a bibliography page.

Poetry Requirements

Poetry should be no longer than 400 words, typed. Students must produce their own work.

Judging Criteria

Relevance and Understanding (0-35 Points)
Originality in approach and treatment of the topic (0-30 Points)
Clarity and effectiveness and/or mastery of poetic expression (0-25 Points)
Evidence of research (0-10 Points)

Submissions

• Each submission must be accompanied by the "From Struggle to Triumph to Tomorrow" Contest Entry Form.
• All submissions must be received on or before June 13, 2008.
• All entries become the property of the Virginia Civil RIghts Memorial Foundation and will not be returned.
• Winners will be notified via e-mail and/or U.S. mail by June 27, 2008
 
Mailing Address:
VACRM Literary Contest
c/o Secretary of Administration
Patrick Henry Building, 3rd Floor
1111 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
 
The deadline to enter this contest has passed.

Student Awards

First place: $1000
 
The first place winner will receive reserved seating with their parent(s) or guardian(s) at the Virginia Civil Rights Memorial Symposium and Unveiling, held in Richmond, Virginia July 20-21, 2008 and will present their submission at the Symposium. Additionally, the winner will receive a Governor's award and publication on the Civil Rights Memorial Foundation website.
 
Second place: $750
 
The second place winner will receive a Governor's Award and publication on the Civil Rights Memorial Foundation website.

 
Third place: $500
 
The third place winner will receive a Governor's Award and publication on the Civil Rights Memorial Foundation website.

Sponsor Teacher Award

The sponsoring teacher of the first place winner receives reserved seating at the Virginia Civil Rights Memorial Symposium and Unveiling, held in Richmond, Virginia July 20-21, 2008. Also, the teacher will receive a $250 award for classroom materials and a Governor's award.